Alexandre Burrows #14 of the Vancouver Canucks looks on from the bench during their NHL game against the St. Louis Blues at Rogers Arena October 18, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.Jeff Vinnick / PNG

Count on three things with Alex Burrows.

He has an encyclopedia-like memory, he lives in the moment and he loves the National Hockey League playoffs.

When the Vancouver Canucks winger was reminded that before his six-shot effort Thursday against the Arizona Coyotes, his previous six-shot feat came March 12, 2014 in Winnipeg, he easily recalled his two-goal effort in a 3-2 shootout win against the Jets.

“I remember batting one in and a rebound,” said Burrows.

You expect that from Burrows, a passionate sports junkie who could have a future in broadcasting. He’s totally old school yet is invested in new-age analytics. He’s the club’s best defensive player, leads in scoring chance differential and doesn’t snub his nose at Corsi.

It won’t be easy to take the stick out of the hands of the rejuvenated 35-year-old, who’s a premier penalty killer and a guiding voice of reason. He is driven to push the Canucks toward the playoffs and doesn’t dwell on the “what-ifs” if the club is out of contention at the NHL trade deadline.

And that’s where it could get interesting.

Burrows would command considerable interest from Stanley Cup contenders as a rental in return for a draft pick. He has a history of scoring big post-season goals and is fiercely loyal, competitive and combative.

It’s difficult to imagine contenders like the New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens wouldn’t have trade-deadline interest in Burrows. He has scored 19 goals in 70 playoff games. He could be reunited with Alain Vigneault for another Cup quest and playing for his hometown Canadiens would certainly cap an amazing beating-the-odds career. Run all that by Burrows and he sees where you’re coming from.

“It’s a possibility for sure,” said Burrows, who has a no-trade contract clause. “I haven’t really put that much thought into it. My first goal was to play in the NHL, my second was to stay as long as I could (853 career regular season and playoff games) and the third was to win a Stanley Cup. The third has been harder than I wanted, but it’s still there and there’s still a chance.

“I just love the moment. That’s what I play for — to be in the playoffs and win those meaningful games that people are going to remember and be part of history. Those are easy games to get up for.”

Burrows also sees present-day potential and his ability to keep pace and contribute off the rush with Bo Horvat and Sven Baertschi is encouraging.

“They bring skill, speed and creativity and their will to succeed is high,” said Burrows, who sprung Horvat for a short-handed, breakaway goal Saturday in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. “That gets you going a bit. You don’t want to disappoint them and be somebody they have to carry on their line. With more minutes, I just feel a part of it and now it’s up to me to be a difference maker and get us back in the playoff picture.”

It’s that attitude which has endeared Burrows to his teammates.

He stood up after the first period at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 8 — even though it was the fifth game in seven nights against the league’s top-scoring team — and told his teammates they had more to give and they beat the Rangers 5-3. Same story on Nov. 13 against the Dallas Stars. He was vocal again after the opening period in what would become a 5-4 overtime triumph.

“He’s a passionate guy and that’s when he’s playing his best,” marvelled Canucks winger Jack Skille. “He hit a boiling point and stuck up for the group in the first period against Dallas. And he didn’t just say it, he then went and led by example with his play. When you say things, you have to back it up.”

Whether it’s the gamesmanship of gab or taking a jab, there’s never been a debate as to whether Burrows has been all-in on whatever is happening around him — good or bad. Think about it. If your employer dropped broad hints about your future and was determined to go with a younger workforce, how would you handle it? Probably look for another gig, right?

Burrows heard that last March but then heard he wouldn’t be bought out. The commitment seemed surprising. The winger’s expiring contract is a $4.5 million US salary cap hit, but $3 million in actual salary. That was always thought to be a lot for a role player who spent the majority of last season on the fourth line and the penalty kill and had but nine goals in 79 games.

As expected, Burrows was a good mentor to the kids and his enthusiasm for the game never waned, even when he was reduced to press box cheerleader on three occasions as a healthy scratch.

“You should never be surprised,” said Canucks coach Willie Desjardins. “He makes people around him better, that’s his best quality. His play on the ice has been great, but his attitude off has been even better.”

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